Dr. Taylor-Imani Gates

I am a seasoned educator and administrator with extensive experience in leadership roles at both K-12 and post-secondary levels. I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and currently reside there with my husband Ryan and two beautiful daughters, Imani and Sanai. I hold a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with a concentration in the Social and Cultural Divisions. I am committed to fostering academic excellence, supporting student growth, and building strong community relationships. I am a lover of God, my wonderful family, animal prints(s) and my favorite color is chartreuse! I am honored to serve the Grace Lutheran School community!

Kristi Underhill

This is my 8^th year working at Grace Lutheran School.  I've worn many hats including PE teacher, Jr high math teacher, 6^th grade homeroom teacher, volleyball coach, basketball coach, track coach, and now assistant principal.  It's a joy to serve in this community and continue working with students.

Jessica Allen

I attended Moody Bible Institute in Christian education but graduated from Judson University. While in college, I worked at Riverwoods Christian Center in the summers, where I met my husband. We have 7 children, and I homeschooled for 6 years. I worked as a teacher’s assistant in special education for 6 years. I enjoy relaxing at home with my family watching movies and playing games.

Jennifer Brayton

I’m a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church and School, having attended and graduated from Grace in the late 1980s. I hold a bachelor’s degree in education from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. My husband, Mike, and I were married at Grace, and all six of our children have either graduated from or currently attend the school. I’ve always been passionate about the education and care of young children. I also enjoy watching movies, sipping Starbucks drinks, shopping at Target, and spending time with friends and family.

Kim Hoffman

Jackie Johnson

Julie Brown

I am fortunate to be a Grace School alum and proud to say that it was here at Grace where I first learned that Jesus loves me and all His children. I was taught to be kind to others and to treat them with respect and dignity. After graduating from Oak Park River Forest High School, where I enjoyed early childhood classes, I worked full-time at a small infant and toddler daycare program in Oak Park. I continued my studies in early childhood education at Triton. I was blessed to work at St. John Lutheran School in Forest Park, which later became Walther Lutheran Academy. After many years as a preschool teacher's aide and working in the after-school program there, I returned to Grace, where I have had the joy of working for many wonderful years. Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, Craig—we’ve been married for over 33 years. I also enjoy gardening, crafting, and family game nights with my siblings.

Megan Galeener

Mrs. Galeener is passionate about teaching, especially reading. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Child Development and holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education. She also recently completed her LBS1 certification from Saint Xavier University.

Outside of school, Mrs. Galeener loves spending time with her husband, Aaron, and their three wonderful kids, who also attend Grace Lutheran. She is an enthusiastic supporter of their sports activities—go Vikings! In her free time, she enjoys gardening, drinking coffee, and caring for her beloved pets: a dog named Maverick and a cat named Buttercup Sprinkles.

Caroline Huttner

I am grateful and blessed to begin my teaching career at Grace Lutheran School. I attended Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Dance. Growing up, I had the opportunity to receive a Christian education, and I am excited to now teach at a Christian school. Many teachers have inspired my love of learning and guided me on my faith journey. I hope to be this type of teacher for my students. Outside of the classroom, I love trying out new recipes, enjoying the outdoors, dancing, and spending time with my loved ones.

Carrie Walsh

I am beyond excited to be joining Grace Lutheran School as the third-grade teacher. With over 20 years of experience in education, I have taught Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades, and have also served as an instructional coach and principal on the south side of Chicago. My journey in education has taken me to New Mexico, Boston, New York, and Seattle, where I served as a Director of Instruction for a personalized math company. Later, I supported 27 schools across Chicago as a Site Director for Amplify’s literacy intervention program. I feel blessed to return to a faith-based school and to work directly with students again, after beginning my career as a teaching assistant for 2nd and 3rd grades at Frances Xavier Warde in downtown Chicago. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, daughter, and little dog, whether we're exercising outdoors, challenging ourselves at trivia nights, or enjoying live music.

Ruthi Brucato

The Lord has greatly blessed my family through the ministry of Grace Lutheran School, and I am honored to be the fourth-grade teacher. This is my eighth year teaching at Grace. I hope to extend the grace and love of Jesus Christ to my students each day. I grew up in Burkina Faso (West Africa) and California. I moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute, where I earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Bible. I then attended Wheaton College Graduate School to obtain certification in T.E.S.O.L. (Teaching English as a Second Language) and taught for a few years at Oak Park Christian Academy. I have also taught ESL at both Dominican University and Triton College. The Lord led my family to serve and work in Bologna, Italy, for nearly eight years before bringing us to live in Oak Park and enroll our children at Grace School. Outside of school, I love going downtown Chicago, spending time at the lake, running, swimming, cooking (especially Italian food!), and enjoying the outdoors with my amazing four children.

Lisa Nelson

Serving children is my passion. I have been blessed to work with children of all ages for many years, with the bulk of my experience in the fifth grade. I am excited and thankful to now serve as the fifth-grade homeroom teacher at Grace!

My husband and I relocated to Oak Park after thirty years of living outside of the United States. We spent our years between Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Slovakia. At times challenging, living abroad was a humbling, enriching time for our family of eight. We returned to the US to be closer to an aging parent, our six children and their spouses, and our grandchildren!

I enjoy many things, but I am always grateful for time to go on walks with my husband, visits with our children, sitting and reading by the fire, providing hospitality, and time to just create.

Christina Starrick

I feel incredibly blessed to be have joined the staff at Grace! My husband, Michael, and I have been married for over 15 years. We have 2 kids who attend Grace and one that graduated from here. I have my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. I did my substitute teaching at Grace where I got to know so many of the wonderful students at our school. Prior to teaching, I was the director of a homeschool co-op in Oak Park and tutored there as well.

Outside of the classroom, I primarily spend my time reading, strength training, or lying in the hammock.

Brian Schultz

I am the junior high math and science teacher, and I have been teaching at Grace since 2008. In addition to teaching students about the wonders of the mathematical world, I also coach girls' basketball and track and field. I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Valparaiso University. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling with my wife, Liz, and our daughter, Athena.

Lisa Wolfanger

I have been a teacher in Lutheran schools for more than two decades. Before coming to Grace, I taught in Lutheran schools in Pittsburgh and New York City. I received a bachelor's degree in education from Concordia, River Forest, Illinois, and a master's in education from Nazareth College, Rochester, New York. At Grace I teach English-language arts, American history, and religion.

Breah Ponce

I attended Judson University for my undergraduate studies, double majoring in Mathematics and Psychology. After a brief stint in corporate America, I realized I wanted to shift my career toward teaching. I quickly obtained my professional teaching license along with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity International University. I taught mathematics for four years at Morton West High School, during which time I had three children. I then paused my teaching career for 10 years to raise my children full-time, and as a bonus, I had a fourth baby! In 2020-21, I was thrilled to return to the classroom at Grace Lutheran School, teaching middle school math. I absolutely love GLS and thank God for the opportunity to educate young thinkers within a Christian framework.

Kristi Underhill

This is my 8^th year working at Grace Lutheran School.  I've worn many hats including PE teacher, Jr high math teacher, 6^th grade homeroom teacher, volleyball coach, basketball coach, track coach, and now assistant principal.  It's a joy to serve in this community and continue working with students.

Keary Bramwell

My Dad and Step-Mom are both librarians, and my Mom is an English teacher so I grew up around books. It seemed natural for me to combine the two and become a children’s librarian. After getting my Master’s degree in Library Sciences, I worked at the Mount Prospect Public Library for 11 years as the Youth Collection Librarian. I then took some time off working to be a stay home mom once I had my daughter, but I have stayed active in the field through committee work, including through my current work on the Newbery Committee and joined Grace Lutheran School in 2021.

I think of the library as a place to support students both in and out of the classroom. This means that in addition to strong research skills, students need to have access to a diverse collection. Books can be windows or mirrors and children need both to grow.

When I'm not working, I'm probably spending time with my husband and daughter or reading. I also love spending time outside, working on craft projects, and baking.

Erika Lyle

I studied German at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. After I graduated, I traveled to Martin, Slovakia to teach English to first-graders. After that amazing year, I returned to the States and accepted a position teaching German at Oshkosh North High School in Wisconsin. I taught there for three years, after which my husband and I moved to sunny South Carolina. During our seven years there I spent my time substitute teaching and eventually became a stay-at-home mom when our three children were born. My family and I moved to Oak Park in 2015 when my husband, Dave, accepted the call to be Grace’s Senior Pastor. We enjoy being back in the Midwest and love being part of the Grace Lutheran Church and School family.

Sarah McCabe

After 21 years at Oak Park River Forest High School, including six years of teaching and 21 years of coaching, and another 10 years at Westview Hills Middle School, I was thrilled to join the Grace teaching team and work with the children of Grace Lutheran School. This wonderful place is the foundation of my educational journey. My high school years at Oak Park River Forest, a degree from St. Olaf College, and student teaching through Concordia University Chicago all contributed to developing my sense of calling to work with children. My husband, Mark, and our daughters, Grace and Catie, know this is the perfect fit for me, as I treasure the opportunity to cheer on our Grace students. I am so grateful that God has led me to Grace!

Julian Tyus

Julian Tyus received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. A California native, his passion for the arts led him to the city of Chicago, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts from the School of Art Institute Chicago. As an art instructor, he believes that art is a vehicle for self-expression and personal development as well as a necessary component for a well-rounded educational experience.

Breah Ponce

I attended Judson University for my undergraduate studies, double majoring in Mathematics and Psychology. After a brief stint in corporate America, I realized I wanted to shift my career toward teaching. I quickly obtained my professional teaching license along with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Trinity International University. I taught mathematics for four years at Morton West High School, during which time I had three children. I then paused my teaching career for 10 years to raise my children full-time, and as a bonus, I had a fourth baby! In 2020-21, I was thrilled to return to the classroom at Grace Lutheran School, teaching middle school math. I absolutely love GLS and thank God for the opportunity to educate young thinkers within a Christian framework.

Beth Parker

I am excited and thankful to join a talented team of professionals at Grace Lutheran School!  With decades of experience working in a variety of educational systems as a special educator, I am blessed to work in a faith-based school that is supported by a Church that welcomes diversity and people of all backgrounds and abilities. I look forward to the 2024-25 school year getting to know the students and their families.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, walking the family dog, and visiting my children and watching them play college sports.

Caitlin Wilkes

I am a licensed speech-language pathologist who earned my Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University.  I have worked primarily with children and adolescents in both school and private practice settings with a focus on articulation and phonological disorders, receptive-expressive language disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication. I understand the importance of working as a team in order to best advance a student's speech and language goals and I am eager to collaborate with students, families, and educators at Grace. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, gardening, and exploring the outdoors.

Johanna Johnson

I have a music education degree from Indiana University Bloomington.  I have spent many years teaching classroom music and private lessons, and joined Grace Lutheran School as the music teacher in 2021.  I have been a member of the Grace Parish Choir for about 5 years, and also play the French horn and piano.  I am blessed to have three musical children, all of whom attended Grace.

When I am not working, I enjoy reading, going to concerts, spending time with friends, and watching movies with my cats, Bono, and Charlie. I love spending time with my children, and also enjoy traveling.

Jean Hatmaker

I grew up in nearby Elmhurst in a musical family; I started playing the cello when I was just shy of my third birthday. Music has always been my calling. I went to Indiana University to get a Bachelors and Masters in Music Performance under the tutelage of Janos Starker. I have been very fortunate to have a robust career as a performer, specializing in chamber music, and can frequently be seen in Grace’s sanctuary either performing with my quartet, the Kontras Quartet, or playing for the Bach Cantata Vespers series. When I’m not at Grace I can be found performing in other venues around the Chicago area, as principal cellist of the Elmhurst Symphony, occasionally on the road on tour with Kontras, or even sometimes at bluegrass festivals with our good friends the Kruger Brothers! 

Teaching is meaningful to me because I love to help others enrich their relationship to music and cultivate a new skill. I have students of all ages, from first grade up through adults in their 80s. Besides teaching at Grace, I am also the cello professor at Elmhurst University, and I see private students in my home in Oak Park. My husband and I have a cat and a retired greyhound dog. We enjoy curling up as a family with a good book or watching TV (when I’m not practicing, that is!).

Betty Lewis

Betty Lewis is an active violinist and violist in the Chicago area performing with groups as diverse as Broadway in Chicago shows and as an extra with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In the summer, she is on the faculty of the Birch Creek Music Performance Center and is a member of the Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, Wisconsin. She teaches violin and viola at the Chicago School of Violin Making and runs the Starter Strings program for the Hyde Park Youth Orchestra. Ms. Lewis has performed extensively with the Bach Cantata Vespers ministry at Grace and is thrilled to be teaching at Grace School.

Cheldon R. White

I attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana and studied music. I am from Bellwood, Illinois, and being a graduate of Walther Lutheran High Schoo (now Walther Christian Academy), I felt it was my calling to come back for an opportunity to make an impact in the area where I grew up. In 2020 I started teaching instrumental lessons  at elementary schools in the area including Grace as part of Walther's band program. Percussion and euphonium/tuba are my principal instruments. I am thankful to my family for teaching me to play percussion as I was growing up.  I got my start in our Baptist church. Outside of music I enjoy sports such as basketball, football and martial arts along with activities in nature. Although I do not have children of my own, I am blessed to have four nephews, one niece and two amazing pet turtles.

Ana Chignoli

I am on track to graduate from Dominican University Spring of 2024 and am looking forward to starting my Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. I worked in corporate America for years, but wanted to move into a career I am passionate about. I have always been involved in volunteer work with children or youth, whether that was a youth/children's ministry leader at my church, or an assistant coach to my son's soccer team. I have a passion for providing kids with knowledge, faith, and confidence.

My oldest started attending Grace at age 4. Every year, I became more and more involved at Grace. I now have two children at Grace. My son is a 4th grader this 23-24 school year, and my daughter in 1st grade. I look forward to building more relationships with all of our current and incoming Grace families.

Some of my favorite pastimes, besides having fun with my kids, are learning interesting history facts, learning Polish, and reading.